Editor's note: Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. He writes on topics pertaining to China, the DPRK, Britain, and the U.S. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

This week saw Disney release a trailer for the live action production of “Mulan,” a story based on a Chinese legend of a female warrior from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (420–589) who went into battle in place of her father. The story had previously been the subject of a 1998 animated film, which was known for its musical score and somewhat comedic tone.

However, owing to its somewhat “American-centric” cultural connotations, Disney’s original production ultimately failed to make the grade in China itself, failing to connect with local audiences.

With this new production, however, Disney is determined to change the game. Eyeing the increasingly lucrative and growing role of the Chinese cinema market, commentators note that the company is determined to create a film which China can take pride in and call its own.

To do so, observers have highlighted how the film is less “America-centric” than before, with some Western audiences being disappointed with the dropping of musical items, comedic characters and also the removal of “cultural mistakes” from the original. So far, this has received a positive reception on Weibo, but we can never quite know until 2020.

The U.S. film industry dominates the world of entertainment. Since their emergence in the early 20th century, American films have been an unmatched source of global culture, popularity and inspiration. These productions have shaped and captured the dreams of billions of people. Although there is no sign of that ending anytime soon, the industry is now at a crossroads, such being that as its global audiences and markets continue to expand, so must the cultural scope and inclusivity of their content.

Whilst of course American films are universally popular, for many decades such films have been exclusively “U.S.-centric” in their cultural and political outlook towards the world. This is because for most of the industry’s history, such audiences have been predominantly Western, with other countries unable to enjoy such productions due to both being poorer (thus a smaller market) and for the Cold War era, in ideological competition against the U.S.

Now, however, the game is changing. China’s rapid development, as well as other countries, has radically changed the way people live and in turn rapidly increased people’s ability to attend the cinema regularly. This has created an entirely new opportunity for American films. In May, the blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” made over 600 million U.S. dollars in China, a new record for a foreign film in the country.

Thus, whilst U.S.-centric films continue to be massively popular, if the industry wishes to cross that threshold and do even better in China, then they have to be able to culturally connect with the country on its own terms and understanding. Previously, Disney films about “foreign” countries and legends have been plagued with orientalist tropes, cultural caricatures and stereotypes; making them offensive to the depicted nation itself. One may note the 1990s animated Aladdin and, of course, the old Mulan as two examples.

Thus, in recalibrating Mulan into a live-action film and attempting to get it “accurate” in Chinese terms, Disney is shaping their production to be as culturally authentic as possible and to move beyond the “American-centric” inhibitors and flaws of the animated version. With the local market proving to be very lucrative, the aim is to secure Chinese acceptance of it.

For Western audiences, this has brought about mixed reactions. Some have been disappointed at what they see as the film’s more serious tone, as well as the removal of certain characters such as the comedic mini-dragon “Mushu,” who was largely perceived as inappropriate by Chinese audiences. It has even led some publications, such as a columnist in the Guardian, to accuse Disney of “pandering” to the Chinese government for its emphasis on Chinese culture, rather than “American thinking.”

However, Western audiences should see the new Mulan as an opportunity and, accordingly, accept broader cultural shifts and diversity within global films. Whilst American films will continue to dominate global entertainment, they have not been known for offering an authentic, nuanced and balanced perception of the world, or for the inclusion of “other” perspectives and cultural takes.

Thus, the fact that Disney is prepared to shake up and shift its cultural boundaries (in a number of areas, not just with this: hence the recent Aladdin production) to adapt to a broadening global audience is a great opportunity for Western audiences to broaden their perspectives and to think differently about the world. Films about other nations and cultures should not be based on American stereotypes and clichés as to how they “imagine” those peoples to be, but real and authentic takes.

Disney is prepared to shake up and shift its cultural boundaries (in a number of areas, not just with this: hence the recent Aladdin production) to adapt to a broadening global audience is a great opportunity for Western audiences to broaden their perspectives and to think differently about the world.

'broadening perspectives' is something that should also apply to Chinese netizens who complained about a black girl portraying the Disney mermaid.

Newtown Post time: 2019-7-15 04:48
So how many Chinese films are being "recalibrated" to take in the realities and sensitivities of wes ...

None. Chinese filmmakers haven't made stories based on famous people in western history. As far as I know, there hasn't been a Chinese re-telling of Cleopatra or Joan of Arc with easternized sensibilities.